EU Calls for “Strong Response” to Syria “War Crime” but Says UN Must be Involved

US Secretary of State John Kerry is welcomed by European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Catherine Ashton ahead of a meeting with European foreign ministers in Lithuania

Photo by TOMAS LUKSYS,TOMAS LUKSYS/AFP/Getty Images

The European Union released its strongest statement yet on the alleged August 21 chemical attack that took place in Syria, saying that all evidence appears to point to it being the responsibility of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. “In the face of this cynical use of chemical weapons, the international community cannot remain idle,” noted the statement issued Saturday by The European Union's foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton after E.U. minister met with Secretary of State John Kerry. While the 28 E.U. nations said this type of attack calls for a “clear and strong” response from the global community, they said the United Nations needs to present the report from its inspectors before any action is taken.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius, who hosted the ministers meeting, was even more direct, saying there is "more and more evidence that the Assad regime is behind all these crimes—we can't just ignore this," according the Associated Press. The European nations have largely been skeptical of President Obama’s call for a strike but they did recognize Saturday that the Assad regime “is the only one that possesses chemical weapons agents and the means of their delivery in a sufficient quantity," notes Reuters. Still, the European leaders urged that the most important thing now is “to move forward with addressing the Syrian crisis through the U.N. process.”

Kerry welcomed the E.U. stance, calling it a “strong statement about the need for accountability.” Kerry’s meeting with foreign ministers is part of a four-day trip in which he is trying to gain international support for military action in Syria, points out the BBC. The secretary of state will also be meeting with Arab League representatives in Paris and his French and British counterparts.

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Read the full E.U. statement after the jump:

Statement from HR Ashton reflecting the agreed position of the European Union–all 28 member states

On 21 August, a large-scale chemical attack was perpetrated in the outskirts of Damascus, killing hundreds of people, including many women and children. That attack constituted a blatant violation of international law, a war crime, and a crime against humanity. We were unanimous in condemning in the strongest terms this horrific attack.

Information from a wide variety of sources confirms the existence of such an attack . It seems to indicate strong evidence that the Syrian regime is responsible for these attacks as it is the only one that possesses chemical weapons agents and means of their delivery in a sufficient quantity.

In the face of this cynical use of chemical weapons, the international community cannot remain idle. A clear and strong response is crucial to make clear that such crimes are unacceptable and that there can be no impunity. We must prevent creating a dreadful precedent for the use of chemical weapons in Syria again, or elsewhere.

The EU underscores at the same time the need to move forward with addressing the Syrian crisis through the UN process. We note the on-going UN investigation on the 21st of August attack and further investigations on other chemical weapons attacks carried out in this conflict. It hopes a preliminary report of this first investigation can be released as soon as possible and welcomes President Hollande‘s statement to wait for this report before any further action. The EU urges the UN Security Council to unite in its efforts to prevent any further chemical attack. To that effect, it encourages the UNSC to fulfil its responsibilities and take all initiatives to achieve this goal. The EU and its member states intend to play a full and active part in that context.

The EU recalls the individual responsibility of the perpetrators of attacks of this type, who must be held accountable, and the role of the ICC in investigating and judging such acts.

Only a political solution can end the terrible bloodshed, grave violations of human rights and the far-reaching destruction of Syria. An encompassing diplomatic process leading to a political solution is now more urgent than ever. The initiative for a "Geneva II" peace conference, must move ahead swiftly . The EU is ready to provide all support needed to achieve a political settlement and work with partners and international actors, particularly the United Nations.

The EU will uphold its commitment, as the largest donor, to provide aid and assistance to those in need due to the Syrian conflict. It will maintain its readiness to help the recovery, rehabilitation and transition in Syria, in accordance with the needs of the Syrian people.

Daniel Politi has been contributing to Slate since 2004 and wrote the Today’s Papers column from 2006 to 2009. Follow him on Twitter.